KOSPI and KOSDAQ fall due to 'Trump's first day in office' alert

Our stock market fell together as U.S. President Trump's vigilance grew on his first day in office.

The KOSPI started at 2,530 and rose to 2,548.44 in early trading, but closed 0.08 percent lower at 2,518.03 as foreigners net sold more than 170 billion won.

The tech-heavy KOSDAQ index also started higher at 728.57, but closed 0.22 percent lower at 726.07 on net selling by foreigners and institutions.

The won-dollar exchange rate in Seoul fell 12.2 won to 1,439.5 won as of 3:30 p.m.

The market believes that the rise in the exchange rate has eased on expectations that U.S. President Trump will implement a more relaxed tariff policy than originally feared.